Related

If Chicago Fire has taught us anything, it’s that everyone who works at your local fire department could probably moonlight as a model. But also, it’s taught us that heroism has a multitude of definitions. Sometimes, heroism means running into the burning building. Other times, heroism can mean showing forgiveness when it might not be deserved, or standing up for the little guy, or simply offering support to a friend in need.

Yes, much of the heroism on Chicago Fire happens while on the job, but tonight, the guys and gals of Firehouse 51 attempted to be heroes after clocking out.

Herrmann: Herrmann is called to testify in court against Freddie. As he recounts what happened that night, you can feel the pain and anger Herrmann is still grappling with. Back at the house, he is pretty quiet about it, and simply tells the guys that he said what needed to be said.

Later, Herrmann gets a call from Freddie’s dad, an extremely bad dude in prison for, like, a ton of murders or something. You might think he’s threatening Herrmann into dropping charges, but it turns out he just wants to talk. He explains that he failed Freddie as a father. He doesn’t ask Herrmann to drop any charges, but he does ask that the firefighter forgive his son, who feels most guilty about betraying someone who was trying to help. Herrmann is affected.

On top of that heartfelt conversation, Herrmann and the crew get called to the scene of an attempted teen suicide, which I have concerns about. Mainly: Could no one make the parents stay downstairs? Regardless, Herrmann ends up being the one to do compressions on the kid and saves his life.

This entire time, Herrmann has been convinced that the stabbing robbed him of his faith. But after a call like that, being with his family, and his talk with Freddie’s dad, Herrmann realizes that what is most important to him isn’t really lost. He okays a deal in which Freddie’s charge would be lowered to a misdemeanor and he’d only have to serve 18 months in an adult rehab facility. When a tearful Freddie asks Herrmann why, Herrmann replies that it’s what they both need. It’s closure and a new start. Oh, Herrmann, you sweet prince!

Casey: Casey gets an unexpected call from Dawn, the mother he rescued during the tornado, along with her son Lucas, and her husband, who ended up dying at the hospital. She and Lucas have been staying at a local shelter set up for tornado victims, but Lucas has gone missing.

Since Casey and his head of hair are basically perfect, he of course offers his help. He heads to Lucas’ now destroyed home and finds the teen inside. Casey shares his own story about losing his dad, and it’s enough to convince Lucas to return to the shelter.

Unfortunately, there may not be a shelter to return to for very long. Casey is informed by Alderman Colin Becks that they don’t have enough money to keep the shelter open. However, the Alderman is throwing a fundraiser in order to prevent the closing, and boy, it would be super-helpful to have a first responder there to show support.

Since Casey and his head of hair are basically perfect, HE OF COURSE OFFERS HIS HELP. Casey gets a little more than he bargained for, however, when he arrives at the fundraiser and Becks immediately calls Matt “I don’t have anything prepared” Casey up to the mic to say a few words. His speech ends up being inspiring, heartfelt, and all those other things Casey inherently is.

Boden informs Matt that his speech was a success—they raised $50,000—but the shelter is still closing. This sounds fishy to Casey, so he pays Alderman Becks a visit. It gets real tense, real fast. Becks claims that operational costs for the shelter are much higher than they thought and the money they raised won’t get it done. Matt wants to know where the money is. When Becks gets dismissive, well, then Matt really wants to know where the money is. Don’t make Matt Casey angry, Alderman. You wouldn’t like him when he’s angry.

Chili: After learning about the death of Chili’s sister, Boden calls in his PIC for a little chat. He wants her to take some time off, but she wants to stay busy. Boden warns her that pushing the wrong meds on a victim is now her second strike. She won’t come back from a third.

Chili takes it out on Brett, whom she knows reported her to Boden, with lots of attitude. Brett is only trying to support her in her time of need, but Chili wants none of it. She feels betrayed. Furthermore, her sister is none of Brett’s business.

Dawson, who just can’t help herself, decides to talk to Chili too. She knows what it’s like to lose someone close (Shay!), but Chili is being self-destructive and could lose her job over it. It seems to get through to Chili, who has a nice sit-down with Dawson and Brett (three women in one scene—did the world implode?!), and opens up about the loss of her sister.

But maybe it doesn’t get completely through: Later at Molly’s, Brett and Dawson watch Chili toss back shots like water; her self-destructive streak continues.

Firehouse 51 Bulletin Board:

Severide is still trapped in that weird Homeland Security story. He and Agent Ward are, um, enjoying each other’s company, but when Ward asks Severide to sign a doctored affidavit explaining how they gained entry into the suspect’s house post-tornado, he takes pause. He wants to know what’s going on. Ward throws around some agency speak, which is good enough for him because, well, now they can get back to the sex.

“Monogamy. Ever consider it?” “Not really.”

Sylvie dug the ‘stache! Otis immediately fires his wingwoman, Dawson, for this egregious error in her advice, but he shouldn’t be so quick to dismiss his clean-shaven look: Connie is very into it. Get some, Connie!

Expression Of JoyThe Brady Bunch: Groovy! The Bradys: Ritual hugging Married…With Children: ”Oh, great.” Thirtysomething: ”Of course I’m happy for you. Really. But what about me? Why does it always have to be about you? The Flintstones: ”Yabba-dabba doo

Expression Of Rage

The Brady Bunch: ”Hmmm…” The Bradys: ”If you back away from something you really want, then you’re a quitter!” (the angriest any Brady has ever been) Married…With Children: ”Aaagh, God, take me from this miserable life!” Thirtysomething: ”I’m not angry, OK?” The Flintstones: ”Willllmaaaa!”

Typical ProblemThe Brady Bunch: Marcia and her rival both want to be the prom queen. The Bradys: Bobby gets paralyzed. Married…With Children: Al doesn’t buy his family Christmas presents. Thirtysomething: Nancy gets cancer. The Flintstones: Fred and Barney are staying out too late.

Typical SolutionThe Brady Bunch: The prom committee decides to have two queens. The Bradys: Bobby gets married. Married…With Children: They hate him. Thirtysomething: If only we knew… The Flintstones: Wilma and Betty decide to follow them.

Attitude Toward SexThe Brady Bunch: Never heard of it The Bradys: Omigod — even Cindy does it! Married…With Children: Peg: Yes. Al: No. Thirtysomething: They didn’t get all those kids by accident. The Flintstones: Prehistoric

How Spouses FightThe Brady Bunch: They don’t. The Bradys: Infrequently, but it happens Married…With Children: Tooth and nail Thirtysomething: They stop talking The Flintstones: Fred and Barney go bowling while Wilma and Betty max out their charge cards.

How Kids Get Into TroubleThe Brady Bunch: Greg takes a puff of a cigarette. The Bradys: Carol’s grandson steals her business cards and sticks them in the spokes of Bobby’s wheelchair. Married…With Children: By committing felonies Thirtysomething: Ethan plays with a forbidden toy rocket. The Flintstones: They don’t.

How They’re Punished

The Brady Bunch: ”It’s not what you did, honey — it’s that you couldn’t come to us.” The Bradys ”Next time, ask.” Married…With Children: By the authorities Thirtysomething: It blows up in his face. The Flintstones: They’re not.

What Family Does For FunThe Brady Bunch: Takes special three-part vacations to Hawaii and the Grand Canyon The Bradys: Has flashbacks Married…With Children: Exchanges insults Thirtysomething: Talks The Flintstones: Attends showings of The Monster at the Bedrock Drive-In

Unsolved MysteriesThe Brady Bunch: How exactly did Carol’s first husband and Mike’s first wife die? The Bradys: What’s with Marcia’s new face and Bobby’s blonde hair Married…With Children: What kind of hair spray does Peg use? Thirtysomething: Why did Nancy take Elliot back? What do Gary and Susanna see in each other? The Flintstones: How does Barney’s shirt stay on if he has no shoulders? Where do Fred and Wilma plug in their TV?

Worst BehaviorThe Brady Bunch: The Brady children once made Alice feel under-appreciated.

Best Reason To WatchThe Brady Bunch: This is what life should be. The Bradys: They’re all grown-ups now! Married…With Children: Terry Rakolta hates it. Thirtysomething (Tie) This is your life. This isn’t your life. The Flintstones: This is what life might have been.

Best Reason Not To WatchThe Brady Bunch: Blurred vision from rerun overdoses. The Bradys: You’re all grown-ups now. Married…With Children: She has a point. Thirtysomething: After a while, you think it’s real. The Flintstones: The Simpsons